By Rev. Michael Mwangi
Senior Pastor, Fedha Church KAG
John 12: 1-8:
Six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus lived, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. 2 Here a dinner was given in Jesus’ honor. Martha served, while Lazarus was among those reclining at the table with him. 3 Then Mary took about a pint[a] of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus’ feet and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.
4 But one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, who was later to betray him, objected, 5 “Why wasn’t this perfume sold and the money given to the poor? It was worth a year’s wages.” 6 He did not say this because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief; as keeper of the money bag, he used to help himself to what was put into it.
7 “Leave her alone,” Jesus replied. “It was intended that she should save this perfume for the day of my burial. 8 You will always have the poor among you,[c] but you will not always have me.”
The difference between Judas and Mary was in their hearts. It shows the value each placed on Jesus in their heart. What we value we highly treasure and honour. Giving is a measure of honour It is an indication of how much you love or value you.
How I give or honour you tells a lot about where you are in my heart.
A gift is symbolic of the value a giver places on the recipient. Ring
Matthew 6:21.
For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
How much is Jesus or his kingdom worth to you? Mary honoured Jesus with a very expensive oil that was worth a year's wage. It produced a fragrance that filled the room. Good things give out good fragrance. Everyone noticed. She loved Jesus so much that she gave him her utmost treasure wholeheartedly. Judas on the other hand was provoked. He didn't think Jesus deserved that much. He considered it a waste and it was better given to the poor. Jesus never deserved such honour from Judas. That's how much Judas loved Jesus. To Judas, Jesus was worth only 30 pieces of silver. He honoured Jesus with his mouth but did not value him enough in his heart. Actions speak louder than words.
No matter how much we say we love our God, our actions are a clear indication of how much our hearts love him.
Isaiah 29:13.
The Lord says: “These people come near to me with their mouth and honour me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. Their worship of me is based on merely human rules they have been taught.
Some believers would rather give their best resources elsewhere but not in the kingdom building. God and his Kingdom are not worth their resources. Judas attitude.
Our giving is a clear demonstration of our heart's priorities. We give to the course that matters most to us and that is what is close to our hearts. wm
Do you believe our God deserves the best.
Be a Mary, not a Judas
Jesus objected to Judas and commended Mary.
To Mary, Jesus deserved her very best. Her best resources were best used for kingdom building.
She gave generously without holding back . She honoured Jesus and she received even greater honour.
When we honour God we should expect honours from him. If we don't we will be less Esteemed. The anointing that we do not honour cannot benefit us.
1 Samuel 2:30.
Therefore the Lord, the God of Israel, declares: ‘I promised that members of your family would minister before me forever.’ But now the Lord declares: ‘Far be it from me! Those who honour me I will honour, but those who despise me will be disdained.
Mary was honoured
Mark 14:6.
“Leave her alone,” said Jesus. “Why are you bothering her? She has done a beautiful thing to me.
9. Truly I tell you, wherever the gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her.”
Judas never honoured or valued Jesus and so dishonour followed him and his life ended tragically.
For Judas:
Matthew 27
5. So Judas threw the money into the temple and left. Then he went away and hanged himself.
Our resources are very close to our hearts and therefore show where our honours are. That's where we direct our resources
Proverbs 3:9-10.
Honour the Lord with your wealth, with the first fruits of all your crops; 10. then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine.
Those we honour we give our best without reservation.
Malachi 1
6. “A son honours his father, and a slave his master. If I am a father, where is the honour due me? If I am a master, where is the respect due me?” says the Lord Almighty. ….
8. When you offer blind animals for sacrifice, is that not wrong? When you sacrifice lame or diseased animals, is that not wrong? Try offering them to your governor! Would he be pleased with you? Would he accept you?” says the Lord Almighty.
When we honour God we will be generous with our resources for His Kingdom and God will expand us.
Huwezi patia father in law finje but huna shida kupatia father in love, our heavenly father the same
Proverbs 11
24. One person gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty.
25. A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.
Can we honour God and do a beautiful thing like Mary giving our very best and generously such that it will speak blessings even to generations coming after us. Let's do something that even Jesus will commend us and our enemies will be provoked. Can we bring gifts that will fill this room with a sweet fragrance that even the heavens will take note of?
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